HORSE FARM MANAGEMENT EDUCATION TAILORED FOR SMALL ACREAGE LANDOWNERS
Extension Education
Melissa Fery
Small Farms Extension Agent
Oregon State University
Eugene
Abstract
\r\n Poorly managed small acreage horse farms impact natural resources throughout the U.S. They create a high risk of groundwater infiltration and runoff containing significant levels of bacteria and sediment from horse pastures, feeding and holding areas, manure storage areas, and paddocks. In Oregon, the OSU Extension Service Small Farms Program has been a leader in raising the awareness of horse farm operators about potential water quality impacts from their farms, management practices that can be readily adopted to reduce water quality problems, and sources of technical and financial assistance. Handy, full-color publications for high and low rainfall regions and a full-day workshop curriculum titled “Horses and Mud” have been designed to provide horse owners in-depth information about manure management, reducing and composting stall waste, mud management and options for creating all-weather paddocks, pasture management, streamside buffers, and filter strips. Longitudinal survey data collected from Horses and Mud participants nearly a year after the workshops show that participants readily adopted management practices as a result of the workshops. Over ninety percent of participants implemented at least one or more management practice on their property as a result of the workshop. Thirty-eight percent of the participants implemented 4 or more practices. Seventy-two percent of the participants still plan to implement practices. Of interest, 66 percent of the participants indicated that “protecting the environment” was one of their motivations to complete management practices. The combination of well-targeted educational materials and motivated landowners is leading to better managed horse farms and improved water quality.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: M.A. Fery, G.O. Stephenson
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Fery, M. Instructor, Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon, 97330
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Stephenson, G. Professor, Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon, 97331